Election season is well and truly underway and the political stories are coming thick and fast here on LaoisToday.
So we bring you the second of our Election Diary segments which will run right up until the big day in May.
Seven new LED streetlights finally ‘switched on’ in Ballaghmore
Seven new LED streetlights in Ballaghmore have finally been switched on, having initially been erected by Laois County Council in October 2018 according to Fine Gael Local Election candidate, Conor Bergin.
Confirming progress on the matter, Mr Bergin said:
‘’I am pleased to see that the 7 new LED streetlights in Ballaghmore have finally been switched on, having been erected by Laois County Council last October.
The lights are located between Kyle GAA pitch and Ballaghmore Gaelscoil and were funded by a €33,750 allocation under the CLÁR scheme to Laois County Council in 2018, supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
‘’A number of local residents had recently expressed their concerns to me regarding the length of time in having the new streetlights switched on.
I contacted Laois County Council and ESB networks on this issue and I am pleased to confirm that the lights have now been switched on, as of Monday evening.
‘’These new streetlights will greatly improve pedestrian safety for people walking in the village and schoolchildren, as well as road safety in Ballaghmore.
The lights increase visibility for passing motorists and residents, particularly during the long winter months and will also improve access to the nearby Kyle GAA grounds.
Mr Bergin also added that increased public lighting in rural areas was a particularly important issue which he intends to highlight over the coming months as part of his campaign for the Local Elections in the Borris-In-Ossory/Mountmellick LEA on May 24th.
Eoin Barry calls for a reduction in the speed limit on the N80 outside the Heather Hill estate in Graiguecullen
Eoin Barry, Labour Party Candidate in the Gragiuecullen – Portarlington Area has called for an urgent reduction in the speed limit of 100Kmh on the N80 approaching the Heather Hill estate in Graiguecullen.
“The speed limit of 100kmh outside the Heather hill estate is far too high and is creating a dangerous situation for residents as they attempt to leave the estate.
“A number of residents have spoken to me about this issue, they have highlighted their concern that someone will be hurt, as cars travelling at the speed limit appear ‘out of nowhere’ when they attempt to leave the estate.
Representations have been made in the past about this, it is not good enough that someone might be hurt before it is addressed.
“This is a large and busy estate in which hundreds of people live. Outside the estate the walkway on the N80 is an important local amenity used by walkers and joggers at all hours of the day.
It is incredible that a speed limit of 100kmh is in place so close to where the residents of Heather Hill live.
“Just a few hundred metres up the road at the Talbot Hotel the speed limit is only 60kmh.
This speed limit should continue in operation until at least the roundabout for the Portlaoise road near the Derrymoyle lane.
“It is clear that the visibility for people leaving the estate is not good enough for cars to be travelling at these speeds.
This issue will be a priority for me throughout the campaign and I will continue to work with residents to address this issue.
A simple typing error robbed a Fianna Fail member of the chance of being selected to run for his party in the Local Elections this summer.
‘Disappointed’ Ramsbottom intends to run for Fianna Fail in 2024
Timahoe native Willie Ramsbottom had hoped to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention for Portarlington-Graiguecullen last year but a mistake with an email address meant that his nomination form never reached party HQ.
Willie subsequently appealed the decision but was informed on Monday that he would not be added to the ticket which contains Paschal McEvoy, Padraig Fleming and Deirdre O’Connell Hopkins.
Speaking to LaoisToday, Ramsbottom explained exactly what happened.
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